Giant gourds carved for Pumpkin Regatta

Giant gourds carved for Pumpkin Regatta

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 Utah) – Ever wonder what farmers do with those giant gourds you see every Fall?

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 Utah) – Ever wonder what farmers do with those giant gourds you see every Fall?

“We were talking one day and said wouldn’t it be great to race these as a boat,” said Robb Baumann, Mountain Valley City Company grower.

The third annual Giant Pumpkin Regatta took place at Sugarhouse Park Saturday. Participants hallowed 500-pound pumpkins and paddled against each other.

“Most of the time people think of pumpkins just as jack lanterns or pumpkin pie and we are trying to show people there's a lot more you can do with pumpkins,” said Cassondra Fischer.

Halloween costumes were optional, but plenty dressed in hats, wigs and face paint. The true test of skill lies in the hands of the growers. “Loads of dedication, really great seeds,” said Baumann.

But to grow a giant pumpkin, seeds will only take you so far. “Some of our top growers spend 30-40 hours a week in the pumpkin patch tending to the vines making their fruit grow big,” said Baumann.

If you missed out on the regatta, but want to celebrate pumpkins in another unique way. the Utah Giant Pumpkin Growers Association is holding a pumpkin drop on Saturday Oct. 26 at Hee Haw Farms in Lindon.

Giant pumpkins will be dropped from 175 feet in the air on cars, swimming pools, trailers and more. The address is 95 South 2000 West Pleasant Grove.

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